. >> reporter: his big break the steve allen show. which led to his own variety hour. >> what's your name? >> donny. >> reporter: and all those christmas specials. ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪ >> reporter: he was a life long republican. >> andy williams we'll have to declare your voice a national treasure. >> reporter: but also a good friend of bobby kennedy. ♪ my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord ♪ >> reporter: that's andy williams singing at rfk's funeral. ♪ where do i begin to tell the story ♪ ♪ of how great love can be >> reporter: continued to perform well into his 80s at his moon river theater in branson. ♪ moon river white as >> reporter: andy williams was 84. david wright, abc news, hollywood. >>> and we thank all of you for joining us for his music tonight. and the rest of our program. we're always here at abcnews.com. "nightline" later. we'll see you back here once again tomorrow night. good night. >>> an 11-year-old boy comes home from the hospital in a house he now lives in